Cities

Choose a city and find out specific tips and advice to improve your safety when visiting.

Cities around the world

How many cities are on Earth?

At the turn of the century in 2000, there were 371 cities with 1 million inhabitants or more worldwide. By 2018, the number of cities with at least 1 million inhabitants had grown to 548.

We are working hard to provide relevant and up to date safety information for all the cities across the world.

Visit a City

  • A stunning aerial shot of Bern

    Bern

    Bern (or Berne) is the capital city of Switzerland and is the 5th most populated. Bern’s historic old town is a registered UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is home to the notable cathedral, which is considered to be the largest in the country.

    Read more
  • A white bridge going across the water

    Patras

    Patras a city located in Western Greece and the third most-populated city in the country. Nicknamed the ‘Gate to the West’, Patras is an important commercial and business hub and provides many routes of trade to Western Europe. Culture-wise, Patras offers a range of festivals and museums, giving travellers a variety of activities to choose from.

    Read more
  • Cliffs surrounding the ocean shore

    Zakynthos

    Zakynthos, or more commonly known in the UK as Zante, is an island in the Ionian Sea. It is one of the country’s biggest islands and is a very popular tourist destination as it even has its own airport. The island has the nickname “The Flowers of the Levant” and is especially popular with party holidays.

    Read more
  • Athens

    Athens is the capital city and the largest city in Greece. It is one of the oldest cities in the world, with history dating back to around 3,400 years ago. After the Olympic Games in 2004, Athens has had several different infrastructure projects funded in order to improve quality of life, such as a great metro system and a new motorway. In 2015, the city was voted the third best European city to visit by the European Best Destination.

    Read more
  • Copenhagen

    Copenhagen is the capital and most-populated city in Denmark. Originally a Viking fishing village, Copenhagen has now flourished into a thriving cultural and economic hub. The city is a popular destination for city breaks, as people are attracted to the stunning harbour and wide variety of luxury restaurants.

    Read more
  • Aalborg

    Aalborg is the fourth largest city in Denmark and is located to the north of the country. The city is the perfect blend of modern and traditional architecture, with some of its best attractions being located in some very unique buildings. Aalborg also has a very vibrant culture with unique street art murals scattered all across the small city.

    Read more
  • Aarhus

    Aarhus is the second-largest city in Denmark and is located on the east coast of Jutland and is next to the Kattegat Sea. Aarhus is the largest city in the Jutland region and is also one of the oldest cities in the country. The city has several viking museums, as well as a notable theme park, Tivoli Friheden.

    Read more
  • Bruges

    Bruges is located in Belgium and is the seventh largest city in the country in terms of population. It is located in the Flemish region in the north-west of the country. Bruges has a lot of medieval architecture, making it a very popular city for medieval festivals and events. The city is famous for its textile industry, which has even inspired several films.

    Read more
  • Osaka

    Osaka is a city located in the Kansai region of Honshu in Japan. The third most-populated city, this metropolis is considered to be one of the biggest financial centres in Japan, and with a vibrant multicultural atmosphere to boot. An essential visit for your trip to Japan.

    Read more
  • Antwerp

    Antwerp is a city in Belgium and is the capital of the Antwerp Province in the Flemish Region. The city can be found along the river Scheldt, which goes directly into the North Sea. Antwerp is a very important city for industry and business, with the city’s port ranking the second busiest port in Europe, and one of the top ones in the world.

    Read more
  • Brussels

    Brussels is the capital city of Belgium and is located in the centre of the country. The city is home to over 80 different museums, so there is something for every kind of interest. Brussels is also one of the greenest capital cities in Europe, with over 8000 hectares of green space.

    Read more
  • Kyoto

    Kyoto is the capital city of the Kyoto region in Japan, which is located on the island of Honshu. Kyoto is home to around 2,000 different temples and shrines, so this naturally attracts a lot of tourists curious about the architecture. It also hosts many different traditional festivals and parades, such as the Gion Matsuri, which is one of the biggest festivals in Japan.

    Read more
  • Porto

    Porto is the second largest city in Portugal. It is located along the northwest coast of the country and has a population of around 249,633 in the actual city, and then another 1,300,000 in the surrounding areas. Porto has a rich history, and this is reflected in the city’s architecture – one of the standout buildings is Porto Cathedral

    Read more
  • Tokyo

    Tokyo is the capital and most populated prefecture in Japan. Originally founded as a fishing village, the city began to gain prominent influence in 1603 and now is an international hub for all things culture, politics and technology. In the past, Tokyo has held many popular international events, most recently the 2020 Summer Olympics.

    Read more
  • Lisbon

    Lisbon is the capital city and also the largest city in Portugal. The city contains a mix of different architectures, including Gothic, Roman and Baroque. Lisbon has a very prominent art culture and is home to several establishes museums, including The National Museum of Ancient Art, which houses one of the biggest art collections in the world.

    Read more
  • Split

    Split is a city located in the Dalmatia region and is the second-largest city in Croatia. It can be found to the south-east of the country on the coast overlooking the Adriatic Sea. Split has a very rich culture, with many naming it the centre of Croatian culture, with the centre of the city being named a UNESCO World Heritage site.

    Read more
  • Zagreb

    Zagreb is the capital, as well as the largest city in Croatia. Unlike most of Croatia’s major destinations which are situated along the coastline, Zagreb can be found in the northern part of the country. Zagreb welcomes a lot of visitors, both passing through to reach the coast, but also as a destination itself. It is hope to several sporting arenas, as well as many museums.

    Read more
  • Dubrovnik

    Dubrovnik is a city located in southern Croatia, right on the edge of the Adriatic Sea. It is one of the most popular cities to visit in Croatia due to its location and attractions, in fact the city received around 1.4 million visitors in 2019. Dubrovnik is most known for its iconic Old Town, which is surrounded by giant stone walls.

    Read more
  • Saarbrücken

    Saarbrücken is a city located near the French border on the edge of Germany. The modern city was founded in 1903 after three smaller towns merged into one. Saarbrücken is a popular sport culture, with several different football clubs residing inside, as well as other sports.

    Read more
  • Düsseldorf

    Düsseldorf is the capital of the North Rhine-Westphalia region, which is the most populated region in Germany. The city is located where the Rhine and Düssel rivers meet and is a global hub for many different types of businesses. It is also home to many different universities, meaning that you can always find something to do here.

    Read more

For more country specific travel & safety information, please visit the Travel Aware website by the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office.